Correspondents say Mr Singh's planned meetings with Iranian leaders to review bilateral relations assume significance as they take place at a time when the US has been urging India to reduce ties with Iran.

In June, the US exempted India and six other countries from economic sanctions in return for cutting imports of Iranian oil.

In May, India said it would cut imports of Iranian oil by 11% in the current financial year - India is one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil in Asia.

Mr Singh said the NAM should help in tackling key political and economic challenges, including the situation in Syria and the global economic slowdown.

"I will stress that our movement should provide a strong political impetus to the ongoing efforts to reform and democratise global governance structures, which are critical to tackle these challenges more effectively," he said.